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For those that need convincing Australia has world class funk, look no further than Melbourne based powerhouse Afro-Beat ensemble The Public Opinion Afro Orchestra! Soul of Sydney are ready to present a special event as part of Vivid Festival 2015 on the 24th of May, at a secret location 5 mins from the CBD, to be released to ticket holders only.

The Public Opinion Afro Orchestra (TPOAO) are a specially hand-picked cross-section of Melbourne’s unique funk, soul and afro-beat scene masterminded by Zvi Belling, Ethan Hill (DJ Manchild) and Tristan Ludowyk, and are signed to Hope Street Recordings.

Influenced by Nigeria and it’s surrounding African nations, the high intensity funk sound produced by the ensemble is an infectious blend of African rhythms akin to Fela Kuti with a dash of contemporary hip hop from scratches to guest MC’s and vocal chants over tribal rhythms. Remaining faithful, lyrically relevant and respecting the innate power of Afro-Beat and its message, their music will lift the spirit of celebration to new heights that not even the heavens are prepared for such a spiritual experience.

The Public Afro Orchestra, Vivid 2015 and Soul of Sydney are ready to cast away any doubt and deliver Sydney from all that is a part of this world, into a place not of the world, and into the promise land of good vibes and healing music. Get ready to raise your hands to the musical heavens!
WHO: The Public Opinion Afro Orchestra

SOUL OF SYDNEY | Launched as a collective in 2009 as a new years resolution between local funk and soul enthusiast frustrated with the state of music in Sydney. We are a grassroots independent, artist run cooperative of DJ’s, Musicians, Producers, Dancers & Designers who are bonded by a love of ‘FUNK’ and ‘SOUL’ based music in all its forms. We have come together to promote and support the music we love in Sydney as well as the street culture around it.We launched as a website/blog in 2009 and later grew to host regular Sunday afternoon events in various locations around Sydney since 2011. Focused on showcasing our own brand of feel-good party spirit we have tried to create an atmosphere where DJ’s, Record Collectors, B-boys & B-Girls, and Musicians come down to enjoy music out of the usual bar and club situation.

On November 20 2011 just over 3 years ago we threw what was the first soulofsydney block party picnic. Musically moved by recent trips to overseas to New York’s Body and Soul NYC, LA’s The Do Over, and stimulated by musical ideals and legacy of some of the DJ’s, Clubs and producers who laid the foundation for HIP HOP, DISCO & HOUSE. We took a chance purely as a couple of music heads on a sunny Sunday afternoon, set up turntables, and a small sound system in a park in the inner west Sydney with a simple idea to bring FEEL-GOOD FUNK & SOUL music in all its forms, in an environment where people had the freedom express themselves.

Inspired by the musical ideals of early DISCO, HIP HOP and HOUSE scenes, such as; David Mancuso’s The Loft (NYC), Larry Levan’s Paradise Garage, Kool Herc’s Block Parties, Ron Hardy, Grandmaster Flash and Frankie Knuckles, we simply wanted to take things back to the roots of those scenes and bring an open music policy focussed expression.

From Afro-Beat, Funk, New York Disco, Roller Boogie jams to early Chicago House vibes, classic Hip Hop jams beyond, we just wanted a space where DJ’s had the freedom to play more of the music that inspired them, more of their musical ROOTS and INSPIRATIONS which they wouldn’t normally be able to play in usual bar and club sets.

Three years on our musical ideals have not changed, still very open you can expect to hear an everything from the likes of; James Brown, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Bob Marley, De La Soul, J Dilla, Stevie Wonder, Run DMC, Grandmaster Flash, Larry Levan, Frankie Knuckles just to name a few.

Check out more info below for updates, mixtapes and videos from our events: